Sevastova stunned, seeds struggle at Charleston Open

[April 04, 2019]    (Reuters) - Fourth seed Anastasija Sevastova was stunned by world No. 81 Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-2 in the second round of the Charleston Open on Wednesday as several seeds struggled in South Carolina.

Sixth seed Elise Mertens fell to Kaia Kanepi 0-6 6-0 7-5 and seventh seed Julia Goerges lost to American Taylor Townsend 6-4 7-6(0).

Pegula broke the Latvian five times en route to an unlikely victory.

“Super special, because I’m from the area,” Pegula told the Post and Courier. “I had a good feeling this week. I kind of went in knowing that I feel comfortable here, I feel good. I was just trying to ride that momentum.”

Caroline Wozniacki, seeded fifth, had little trouble with Laura Siegemund, beating the German 6-2 6-2 in just under 90 minutes.

“Today, I played a pretty decent match and I'm ready for tomorrow again,” said 2011 champion Wozniacki, who will next face 12th seed Mihaela Buzarnescu.

“Obviously the clay season you have the main goal, and that's the French Open, and that's what I try and peak for, and we'll see how it goes along the way.”

Third seed Aryna Sabalenka narrowly escaped an upset, coming from a set down to beat Kateryna Kozlova 3-6 6-3 6-3.

American eigth seed Madison Keys had to fight back from 4-3 down in the final set to defeat Germany's Tatjana Maria 7-6(5) 4-6 6-4.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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